So, New Japan‘s had its fair share of controversy this week, huh?
First there were murmurs of certain high profile members of the locker room being so disgruntled by the backstage dynamic that they were considering a move away from the promotion. Then the president of the company issued a statement on New Japan‘s website, pushing back against the reports and possibly quelling any internal revolts which may have been bubbling up.
And, just when it seemed that the worst was over, the Young Bucks, Cody, Hangman Page and Marty Scurll each took to Twitter to post images of their latest (and final) Bullet Club merchandise, suggesting that they may be leaving the stable in short order.
Whew.
Anyway, that’s the biggest drama in wrestling at the moment. Yep, not a lot else to report really. Nothing but smooth sailing for every other promotion.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo7KpvDALUB/?hl=en&taken-by=wwe
Oh, except for WWE scheduling a show in a country suspected of carrying out the politically-motivated killing of an outspoken anti-regime journalist!
As the controversy surrounding Saudi Arabia intensifies, so too does the criticism about WWE‘s decision to hold its Crown Jewel event in the middle-eastern country. In fact, such is the public scrutiny that several major companies and media sponsors have already withdrawn from the high-profile Saudi investment conference, dubbed ‘Davos in the desert.’
As is usually the case in the world of WWE however, there are complicating factors at play for the McMahon family. Not only has the promotion reportedly negotiated a ten-year deal with the Saudi government (which will be difficult to simply walk away from six months later) but Linda McMahon is currently filling a prominent position in President Trump’s cabinet. This alone could leave WWE and the McMahon family in the unenviable position of having its business decisions in direct conflict with official American policy.
Remember the less contentious days when Crown Jewel was just a glorified house-show, which dug up relics from the Attitude Era and prevented women from competing? I bet Vince misses them…
It’s an immensely complex geo-political dilemma, best left to those with far more policy and diplomatic nous than me. One thing does appear certain at this point though, namely that WWE – at least for now – seems intent on pressing ahead with the pay-per-view as scheduled.
So, given the prevailing circumstances, would the pay-per-view feature heavily in last night’s episode of Raw? With a World Cup tournament and a Universal Title match to build, could WWE even afford to have the event take a back seat to Evolution? Read on to find out what we at WrestleTalk thought of Raw this week, the moments that we considered great as well as those which were largely forgettable.
Again, whew.
What was your favorite moment from Raw?
Steven Lugo
The Ronda Rousey / Bellas promo. Following the beatdown of Ronda Rousey at the hands of the Bella Twins last week (yes, I really typed that statement), Nikki and Brie returned to full mean girl heel form.
When Ronda first got into the ring, she looked at once like a hurt friend who had been betrayed, but also like she might be trying to bait the Bellas into the ring for the receipt they deserved. When the Bellas finally came out, they were grating, and it was great to see Ronda growing angrier by the minute.
Ronda’s promo ability is improving, and I like that she doesn’t always have the smoothest delivery, because her authenticity comes through. But you have to hand it to the Bellas in this segment. They went for this, and embraced pretty much every criticism any fan has ever made of them, no matter how harsh or nasty. Ronda straight up called them talentless gold diggers who didn’t deserve their spot, and the crowd roared their approval. It was audacious, funny, and aside from the looming, unspoken question of Saudi Arabia, felt like the realest thing on Raw.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo-nFMTl1JC/?hl=en&taken-by=wwe
Shane Love
Perhaps it’s just the idiot in me who happens to enjoy the Shield story line, because once again I find myself enjoying the opening segment. My reason for it? Simple. It involved the Shield and I can’t help but find myself drawn to see how it will all play out.
The segment itself might not have been all that exciting to watch, but the match that followed between Seth and Drew was excellent. In general anything involving Seth typically leads to an exciting match and I feel his bout with Drew was no different. It felt hard-hitting and the close to the match (which again teased dissension between Ambrose and his brothers) developed the Shield storyline. This is what made it my favorite moment on Raw.
JP Wood
I liked the main event, and I enjoyed the story that was told leading into it as well as throughout the match. Once again, really really solid storytelling in a Shield-related storyline. With that said, I also enjoyed seeing Tamina back (a phrase I didn’t expect to write) and the story they seem to be putting together between her and Nia Jax. That headbutt-off was pretty great and classic to the pedigree of both women.
Sean Patrick Eckmann
Going into the final weeks before Evolution, I’ve been very, VERY skeptical as to what Nikki Bella did to deserve a title shot in the main event. Rousey’s promo managed to work every smarky bone in my body into excitement. Actively calling out the Bellas on what many, including myself on some cynical days, have accused them of (i.e. sleeping their way to the top, having no interest in actual wrestling) was brilliant.
Portraying Ronda as the clear future of the women’s division and portraying the Bellas (rightly or not) as the worst parts of its past made me actually care about this match.
What was the worst part of last night’s episode?
Steven Lugo
Bobby Lashley versus Tyler Breeze. For the life of me, I don’t know why a talent like Tyler Breeze has to be buried over and over again. It’s sad that I was kind of surprised to see him in the first place. He’s worth more to WWE than they realize if you consider his huge connection with the New Day / UpUpDownDown fanbase.
While I’m a Lio Rush fan, and can get behind the right kind of heel version of Lashley, it’s clear that the act was annoying the live crowd – or perhaps putting them to sleep. So, Lashley beat up Breeze in a meaningless contest while Rush talked trash. Lashley also flexed his muscles like the Narcissist, as I groaned.
I say let Rush back up his smack talk once in a while; he’s as good an athlete as he is a hype man. Stop turning Lashley into Lex Luger. Allow Breeze a win once in a while, or at least a meaningful segment. You’ve only got three hours to play with.
Shane Love
Bobby Lashley vs. Tyler Breeze was my least favorite match. I understand that the powers that be want Lashley to be a heel, but putting him up against Tyler for a squash match is probably the laziest way to turn him.
I am sure most people who have seen Lashley can tell that he is incredibly strong. So using a squash match to showcase his strength and expecting that angle to deliver the message ‘therefore he’s a heel’ just felt empty. I suppose you could say I miss seeing substance in a good heel turn but who’s to say. The powers that be might yet do something memorable with him. Definitely my least favorite match.
JP Wood
Let’s face it. Most of the women’s promo stuff tonight was worse than you’d like it to be. Everything felt forced, wooden and stumbled through. Without exception.
So what was worse, The Bellas making the same point poorly sixteen or seventeen times? Or was it that the ‘Mild Civil Disturbance Squad’ struck viciously against Natalya’s locker room door using condiments? It was all bad. Tonight it was every women’s non-wrestling segment.
Do yourselves a favor WWE, and let the women sink or swim on their own merits. Because this whole scripted thing just isn’t working out. There’s a reason why the women chew the scenery: they’re forced into it with bad scripts and stories. But, I digress…
Sean Patrick Eckmann
We all know the controversy surrounding Crown Jewel and Saudi Arabia right now, but that didn’t stop WWE promoting the event at every given opportunity. And its not just the ‘what’s going on with Saudi Arabia’ issue, but there’s even another WWE pay-per-view BEFORE Crown Jewel, and it barely got mentioned.
With Evolution only two weeks away, why was more time spent on the build to Crown Jewel, and just a couple of nothing matches and a meaningless battle royal announced for the former?
And, by the way, treating Saudi Arabia like Voldemort, as the ‘country-who-must-not-be-named,’ won’t make us all suddenly forget where it’s taking place.
How would you rate the show overall? (From best to worst: In Awe, Cor, AvRAWge, Poor and Bore)
Steven Lugo
AvRAWge. Aside from Ronda’s segment, highs for me included Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre, Renee Young’s commentary (“The Bellas insure body parts like J-Lo.”) and Kurt Angle on vacation. I don’t care to see the same Shield versus Dogs of War main event over and over again. A good show that was, for me, overshadowed by the elephant in the room, which is the Crown Jewel controversy. Saudi Arabia itself was never mentioned, so if the show goes on, I imagine the venue changes? I sure hope it does.
To gear up for the #WWEWorldCup tournament at #WWECrownJewel, @RealKurtAngle is going to have to face #AOP in a #HandicapMatch TONIGHT?! #RAW @BaronCorbinWWE pic.twitter.com/vDdNNLT3JV
— WWE (@WWE) October 16, 2018
Shane Love
Prepare to say “Oh no! Not the opening segment again.” But hear me out. One thing I really liked about the opening of the opening show was having it tie in to the end of the show – to see Drew deliver the Claymore to Braun. This was a good moment to see as it umbrellas a much a larger storyline in the Shield angle.
However, as a whole, the show barely left me invested. Most of the matches were just there to pass time and the promo segments felt like filler for setting up feuds and future pay-per-views. I really enjoyed the Bella segment with Ronda’s cheap Cena remarks but even so, the show as a whole didn’t quite resonate with me. For this reason I have to rate the show as Cor.
JP Wood
Poor. I am psyched that WWE is finally putting a spotlight on the very talented women in the lead-up to Evolution. I’m less psyched that the spotlight comes with dialogue that I think is being workshopped in a middle school improv group. I submit Trish and Lita as the best example tonight. Both women have proven that they can hold a promo segment in the past when they had more freedom or better writers. Tonight was a stagger-paced disaster.
A spot of good wrestling and a solid main event storyline keep the rank as high as it is tonight.
Who will win the #BattleRoyal at #WWEEvolution to earn a future opportunity at a Women's Championship?! https://t.co/rk0ZkiOI7U pic.twitter.com/8Xcr23Rdb7
— WWE (@WWE) October 16, 2018
Sean Patrick Eckmann
I’m tired of having the Shield vs. Strowman and friends take up half of every night (which is a shame, because they had good wrestling). Nor am I a fan of all this build for Crown Jewel.
Because of those, tonight’s show felt looooong. That said, there were some fun moments – Ronda’s stone-cold promo and Kurt’s vacation look chief among them. Sasha Banks’ return to the ring and some amazing choreography between her, Bayley, and Natalya was great too.
But tonight’s show just wasn’t enough to make me forget all the controversy, which is a shame, because I watch my 5+ weekly hours of this silly action soap opera to forget about everything else. Rating: A Low AvRAWge.
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